Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom – A Comprehensive Guide to the Epic JRPG Adventure
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom – A Comprehensive Guide to the Epic JRPG Adventure
Blog Article
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, developed by Level-5 in collaboration with Studio Ghibli’s character design and released in 2018, is an ambitious action JRPG that transports players to a vibrant, hand-painted world teeming with magic, politics, and heart. As a direct sequel to the beloved Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, Revenant Kingdom refines many gameplay elements while introducing new systems—most notably kingdom building—that deepen the player’s sense of impact on the game world. This guide will walk you through the game’s rich narrative, innovative mechanics, engaging combat, and useful tips to make your journey through the kingdoms of Evermore and beyond truly unforgettable.
The Epic Tale of Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum
At the heart of Revenant Kingdom lies Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum, a young deposed king of the forlorn kingdom of Ding Dong Dell. After a devastating coup led by the evil Lord Darm and his voodoo-like Clan Dunakan, Evan is rescued by the wise and dignified outlaw Roland Crane. Together, they embark on a quest to establish a new, peaceful realm—Evermore—where people of all races and backgrounds can live in harmony.
Along the way, Evan encounters a memorable cast of companions: Tani, the energetic sky pirate; Loopy, the wisecracking fluffball mentor; Batu, the powerful Rockborne leader; and Leander, the reformed assassin whose dark past fuels his sense of duty. Their individual backstories and evolving relationships add emotional depth, ensuring that beyond grand battles and political intrigue, the player is invested in each character’s growth and redemption.
A World of Hand-Painted Splendor
One of Ni no Kuni II’s most striking features is its visual presentation. The game employs a unique art style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli’s animated films, with lush, cel-shaded environments that resemble watercolor paintings brought to life.
- Environments range from the emerald forests of Ding Dong Dell to the neon-lit streets of the pirate haven of Golmore Jungle.
- Architectural Styles blend medieval European castles with fantastical, mechanical contraptions—most notably in the merchant city of Goldpaw.
- Character Designs emphasize exaggerated expressions and fluid animations, lending each NPC and party member a distinct personality.
Despite the grandeur, occasional texture pop-in and frame dips can occur on older hardware, so consider tweaking graphical settings for a smoother experienece.
Kingdom Building: Evermore Rises
Perhaps the most innovate addition in Revenant Kingdom is the Kingdom Building mechanic. As Evan, you must recruit citizens to join your fledgling kingdom, assign them roles, and construct buildings that unlock new features:
- Woodwork Benches to craft better weapons and armor.
- Alchemy Labs to brew potent tonics and magical items.
- Watchtowers to extend your kingdom’s influence, revealing more quest hubs on the world map.
Each Advisor—such as Eunchong the Scholar or Ophelia the Architect—provides unique buffs once appointed. Balancing resource production (logs, ore, fabrics) with citizen happiness by assigning the right jobs is key. Neglect one aspect, like food supply, and your citizens grow unhappy, reducing kingdom morale and stalling progress. Conversely, a well-managed Evermore yields powerful upgrades and side-missions, making this system feel not just like a mini-game but an integral extension of Ni no Kuni II’s narrative theme of leadership and unity.
Engaging Action-Based Combat
Unlike its predecessor’s turn-based battles, Ni no Kuni II embraces real-time combat with light and heavy attacks, dodges, and special skills known as Artes. Mastery of this system requires understanding several core elements:
Basic Attacks and Skills
- Light Attacks (hold □ on PlayStation or X on Xbox): fast, low-damage strikes.
- Heavy Attacks (hold △ or Y): slower but more powerful, capable of staggering foes.
- Artes: character-specific skills mapped to L1 and R1 (or LB/RB), such as Evan’s Soulstorm—a ranged magical burst—or Tani’s Tortimer Strike—a wide melee sweep.
Synergy and Blech Blasts
Build Synergy in combat by chaining attacks between party members. When the Synergy meter fills, unleash a Synergy Arte—a flashy team move dealing massive damage. Failing to coordinate leaves you vulnerable, so pop into the options menu to reassign which Artes each companion equips, ensuring your combos remain seamless.
Dodging and Guarding
Enemies telegraph attacks with brief animations—learn these to execute perfect Dodges (double-tap direction + dodge button) or time Guards (press block at the last possible moment to parry incoming strikes). Parrying opens foes up for a devastating counter, called a Stagger Attack, crucial for tougher bosses like the marauding Flitterbeast.
Customization: Crafting, Gear, and Growth
Greedfall’s kingdom building is reminiscent of crafting, but in Revenant Kingdom you focus on Weaponsmithing and Tailoring:
Weapon and Armor Upgrades
Visit Blacksmiths in major settlements to enhance gear:
- Upgrade Materials like Sacred Steel or Deepstone Ore increase weapon Atk and critical hit chance.
- Holy Cores imbue your armaments with elemental damage (fire, ice, lightning), which critically exploits monsters’ weaknesses.
Rings and Emblems
Collect Rings that augment stats—HP, MP, Atk, Def—and Emblems granting special effects (auto-heal, boost EXP, faster MP regeneration). Mix and match to suit your combat style: for instance, pair the Explorer’s Emblem with the Mage’s Ring to tack magic damage onto your normal swings.
Skill Tree and Art of War
Every party member has a personalized Skill Tree. Spend Skill Points earned from leveling up to unlock passive buffs (increased jump height, reduced Skill cooldown) or active perks (extra Artes slots). This makes each character feel distinct: Batu’s Stone Skin buff vs. Leander’s dual-blade frenzy.
Side Quests, Bounty Hunting, and Exploration
Beyond the main storyline, Revenant Kingdom abounds with Side Quests and Bounties that flesh out its world:
Side Quests
Often introduced by NPCs in towns, these range from heartfelt tasks—reuniting lost families—to morally complex missions involving rival powers.
- “The Missing Children of Frostpine” sends you deep into an icy cavern.
- “Diplomatic Dilemmas” tests your allegiances between Orleans and Salon.
Bounties
Hunter’s Guilds scattered across the map will commission you to track and defeat wandering beasts like the giant Mighty Bu’undas. Bounties pay in gold, rare crafting parts, and reputation boosts with your kingdom.
Treasure Chests and Hidden Areas
Meticulously placed Treasure Chests hide rare Loot and Skill Scrolls.
- Search for Illusory Walls and use the grappling hook to reach ledges with hidden caches.
- Activate Starlight Beacons to save your progress and recharge MP—vital before plunging into boss arenas.
The Soundtrack: A Symphony of Emotion
Composed by veteran JRPG maestro Joe Hisaishi, the soundtrack for Ni no Kuni II is arguably one of the best in modern gaming. From sweeping orchestral themes like “The Royal Capital” to delicate piano motifs accompanying intimate cutscenes, each track elevates the emotional stakes.
- “A New World Awakens” sets the tone for Evan’s journey of hope and renewal.
- “Kingdom at Peace” underscores triumphant moments.
Minor audio glitches—such as occasional under-mixed dialogue—are rare but humanize the experience, reminding players of the game’s indie origins despite its polished veneer.
Balancing Strategy with Story
Tales of Arise thrived on its narrative, but Revenant Kingdom strikes a fine balance between story and strategy. At times you’ll switch from high-stakes diplomacy—negotiating a truce with the Ashen Eye faction—to intense boss fights requiring milliseconds-perfect dodges.
- Choice and Consequence: Failing a diplomatic mission can close off certain side quests but might open alternative alliances—offering replayability.
- Pacing: While kingdom building and exploration provide a breather, certain chapters legimate tension by setting time limits on quests—encouraging efficient route-planning.
Criticisms and Polishing
Some players critiqued repetitive mission objectives or sluggish menu navigation. Patches have since smoothed UI transitions and adjusted quest markers to be more intuitive, improving overall flow.
Tips and Tricks for New Kings and Queens
- Maximize Your Kingdom: Upgrade your node connections early to unlock merchants and blacksmith tiers faster.
- Rotate Your Party: Switch in specialists—mages for fire-weak enemies, melee tanks for boss tanks—to maintain party synergy.
- Exploit Weaknesses: Study enemy glows—blue for ice vulnerability, red for fire—and equip matching cores.
- Save Often: Use the Travel log to return to previous checkpoints, especially before major boss fights.
- Keep an Eye on Scarcity: Rare upgrade materials like Divine Feathers are limited; spend them only on your favorite high-damage gear.
Conclusion
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom delivers an unforgettable JRPG experienece by blending charming storytelling, dynamic action, strategic kingdom building, and breathtaking artistry. Whether you’re negotiating diplomatic treaties or unleashing a cataclysmic Mystic Arte in a boss arena, every moment feels weighty and memorable. By mastering its combat, optimizing your kingdom, and cherishing its richly crafted world, you’ll discover why Revenant Kingdom stands as one of the most ambitious and rewarding entries in the modern JRPG pantheon. Now, don your crown, raise your banner, and lead Evermore to a brighter tomorrow! Report this page